I would be super unobservant if I didn't notice how many guys follow our blog. For that reason, we're going to start having more entries for all you wonderful stylish or soon-to-be stylish men out there. So here goes!
I want to help you guys out with something I think you may find helpful - dressing to impress the ladies. Here are some things women notice about men on the style front.
1. Tidy Thyself
Spend some quality bathroom time and fix pimples, pluck the uni-brow, colour you hair if prematurely grey, remove excess ear, nose etc. hair, shave, style you hair, put on a bit of cologne (see our guide here for how much is enough). Here are some great products to help you out: Clean & Clear Acne Spot Treatment, Tweezerman Tweezers, Clairol Natural Instincts Hair Colour, Conair 2 in 1 Trimmer, Gillette Fushion Razor, Joico Gel.
2. Trash The T-Shirt
Women think that if a man puts some effort into their dress, then in a relationship there will be effort put into all the other things too and we are interested. If it is warm out, choose a golf shirt or a short sleeve shirt - yes with actual buttons. For the chillier months, opt for a long-sleeved shirt or a long-sleeve shirt under a sweater, vest or cardigan. Here are some options from Banana Republic, Old Navy, The Bay, Harry Rosen, and H&M.
3. Jettison The Jeans
Yes they too are comfy, but they don't showcase what an original, interesting, and creative guy you are. Women don't expect that men will put anywhere near as much effort into themselves as we do, so even something as small as wearing some khakis will set you apart from the average guy and it make it look like you have put a ton of effort into your look. Here are some options from Banana Republic, Old Navy, The Bay, Harry Rosen, and H&M.
4. Chuck The Cap
It doesn't matter if the hair is thinning out, say good-bye to the baseball cap - at least for the first few dates. Ball caps are so casual and you do want to take your gal somewhere nice and wearing a cap there is a major faux paw in the etiquette world. And don't go overboard on the hair product either.
5. Scrap The Sneakers
Women are creatures of habit and shoes are a part of that habit for most of us (don't I know it as I own roughly 100 pairs - hope my guy is not reading this). I know that sneakers are super comfy, but fellas, please save them for the gym. Sneakers scream, "I don't care how I look!!". If comfort is what you want try these options from The Shoe Company, Spring, The Bay, Harry Rosen, and Aldo.
Now get out there and impress the ladies!
True story...
On Saturday I had the privilege of attending loved. - a fashion bargain event which raised money for iHuman here in Edmonton. Here is everything that I bought:
What I bought - The navy top, the ring, the clutch, and the hat.
What is cool - The clutch is actually made out of newspaper and has an article about WAL-MART on the inside!
What I bought - The dress and the necklace.
What is cool - The necklace has a photo of Norma Jeane who later became Marilyn Monroe.
What I bought - The cardigan and both necklaces.
What's cool - My Boston Terrier Cooper modelling for her first time ever. Doesn't she look pretty in the other necklace I bought?
And now for what's super cool - all of this for $15! WOO-HOO!!!!!!!
Spring is finally here on the prairies! I think we have finally seen the last of the white stuff. My indicator of spring is when my husband takes off my winter tires I see the birds returning and nesting in the tree in my front yard.
Being that spring is supposed to be a time of renewal and rebirth, I thought I would incorporate some change into my life. I started with my closet as there were tons of things I no longer wore. Nine garbage bags of clothes, purses, and shoes to give away later, I cannot believe I did it! Admission: coming from a poor family I am a hoarder. I hold onto things thinking that I will wear them again or for sentimental reasons. The good news for you is that if I can do it so can you! First I thought of something I could do for myself once this job was completed to motivate me. I chose getting a massage which I'm going for today! Choose something for yourself. Choose it now - I'll wait.
Got it chosen? Good! Now let me tell walk you through the ten steps:
- Find a place where you would like to donate the clothes that are in good shape but you no longer want. I am taking mine to our church's garage sale to raise money for our parish. After the sale the leftovers are going to St. Vincent de Paul.
- Grab a garbage bag for those clothes that are too worn, stained etc. to donate and be ready to throw stuff away.
- Make a pile for items you'd like to sell on eBay, Kijiji, etc.
- Grab one box for items you no longer wish to keep in your closet, but wish to store for sentimental reasons. Choose wisely as you're only allowed one box for this.
- Have a bag for recycling just in case something needs to be recycled.
- Make a pile for anything that needs to be taken to a tailor to be altered, mended, etc.
- Make a pile for anything you are unsure about to try on. This will most likely give you an answer as to whether or not it needs to go.
- Have a bag for special items that you'd like to give to a family member, friend, etc. My Mom gets excited when I'm cleaning out my closet.
- Now go through each item in your closet with this saying in the back of your mind, "If I were shopping would I buy this now?" If not, out it goes! Be very honest here.
- Finish the job! Try the things on from your unsure pile and assign them to piles, take the donated things to the donation centre, throw the garbage items out, sell the for sale items, put away your sentimental box, recycle the recycled things, take the stuff that needs tailoring to the tailor, and give the bag to that family member/friend.
And we're done! Now make sure you celebrate by doing whatever you promised yourself at the start that you would do. Hope this has helped you to tame that wild closet.
Joelle
With the Christmas season almost here, I thought it would be a good time for another "Why Don't You?" Wednesday based on the legend Diana Vreeland's "Why Don't You?" column from Bazaar. So here are some suggestions that you could try:
Why Don’t You…
...donate used clothes to a shelter or program that gives clothes to someone for free?
...have everyone over for a Christmas Party Clothing Swap?
...learn to knit and make toques and mittens for homeless shelters?
...wear some glittter to your next Christmas party?
...buy a little red dress, little purple dress, etc instead of wearing the same little black dress?
...pop by a make-up counter for a holiday makeover, actually buy some of the make-up used, and use it?
...find and donate to a charity that gives haircuts to homeless people to help them get jobs?
...go through your shoes and get the ones that need repairs fixed and give those you don't need to charity?
...drop off your clothes that need tailoring to a tailor?
...get your nails done? (I did and I feel wonderful!)
...get all of your Christmas shopping done now so you don't get trampled during the holiday season and have more time to spend with loved ones?
...feed Zeke bacon? (Seriously, Zeke! Quit messing with my blog entries! Your column is Friday.)
...take time and have a relaxing bath? You will look better and feel better!
...get a pedicure so you can wear your strappy heels with pride?
...spend an hour at home trying out some new holiday hair-dos?
...dare to wear dark purple lipstick instead of red?
...make yourself a feather choker to liven up your little black dress?
...ask your spouse out for a shopping day so he/she can buy you your gifts (takes the guess work out and you'll love them) then eat at your favourite restaurant?
...get your outfit and accessories ready for New Years so you have more time to enjoy your holidays?
...have a makover/spa party for the ladies and try out different looks?
...have a fashion themed party and rent all the fashion movies you can find ie. The Devil Wears Prada, Prêt-à-Porter: Ready To Wear, The September Issue, Confessions of a Shopaholic, etc?
...shovel someone's walk without them knowing? It will make you feel beautiful on the inside!
Let me know what you do and how it works out for you!
Joelle
Taking a page from the legend Diana Vreeland's "Why Don't You?" column from Bazaar, it's time for a "Why Don't You?" Wednesday! Here are twenty things I think you should seriously consider doing.
Why Don’t You…
...try one of the fall fashion trends?
...try one of the fall make-up trends?
...create a fashion bucket list - things you wish to buy before you die?
...create a style board? Go through magazines and clip out anything that inspires you stylewise - it doesn't have to be clothing or accessories. Then make a collage on a bulletin board with your findings.
...try on a style that you never thought would look good on you? Who knows? It might look great!
...try on a colour you never thought would look good on you?
...learn to shop on eBay? This is my go to place for one-of-a-kind finds and great deals without having to leave my house.
...get friends together for a clothing/accessory swap? With the recession, this is a great way to get new-to-you stuff without paying a dime.
...do some fall closet cleaning/organizing and donate your clothes to charity?
...feed your dog some bacon? Zeke - get off my computer!! Your article isn't until tomorrow!
...get a makeover? Enlist the help of a friend or head to your nearest cosmetics counter for a free makeover.
...try a new hairstyle? Head to your library and check out the hairstyle magazines, or hit the internet and see what the stars are doing, then go to your trusted hairdresser.
...try a new haircolour? Do blondes have more fun? Are redheads truly spicy? Find out by changing your colour. If you don't like it, you can always go back to your original colour.
...take your clothes that don't fit properly to a tailor? Nothing cheapens an outfit faster than clothes that do not fit.
...try on a pair of shoes you would never buy? If you mostly buy heels - try on flats and vice versa.
...buy a statement necklace? Chunky necklaces are in right now.
...put together a bunch of outfits (including accessories), take photos of them and display the photos on the back of your closet door? Thes can be your go-to outfits when you are having a "I don't have anything to wear" day.
...wear red lipstick? EVERYONE can wear red lipstick. You just need to find the shade that is right for you.
...go shopping with a friend who has a different style than you and buy something she suggests?
...check out a thrift shop? I have found great stuff at Value Village, Goodwill, Salvation Army Thrift Store, etc.
...check out a consignment store? Designer ones are a great place to get that piece for your wardrobe that you could never afford brand new.
Let me know what you do and how it works out for you!
Joelle
